Rumor Mill: Creatives at TBWA\CHIAT\DAY, LA Seek Liberation in Droves

According to a West Coast source, it's fast a trend at 5353 Grosvenor Blvd. to abandon ship.

"Lara Palmer jumped ship to become founding Creative Director at Taxi, Vancouver. Zach Watkins, Blake Kidder and Patrick Almaguer all headed to Wieden Kennedy, Amsterdam. David Steinke moves a few hours east to Crispin's new Boulder office. Craig Crawford returns to Team One, while partner, Rui Alvares, is going to Lowe Bull in South Africa. Doug James goes freelance as his art director, Chuck Monn hops over to the secretive Media Arts Lab. Lastly, another undisclosed creative is said to be on his way to Arnold Boston."

If that assembly line of flip-offs weren't bad enough, apparently the coveted $100+ million Playstation account is also heading for the door, with Infiniti potentially fast on its heels.

The agency's still got a few good hands holding it up, though it doesn't look like that'll be the case for long. Creative Director Curt Detweiler, who did some acclaimed integrated work and TV spots for Nissan, is - according to the source - being courted with an ECD offer outside the network.

And Patrick O'Neill, who was integral to the "Hunger Gets what Hunger Wants" campaign for Ballpark Franks, is reportedly looking eastward for his next opportunity.

All this leaves Rob Schwartz at the helm of a once-stunning creative colossus. We'd play the violin, but, oh, we don't know how.

Maybe McBride was onto something with his parodied slaughter at the agency's SF arm.

What good is this piece doing anyone? There are clients there now. There are people working hard to make the agency survive. People whose jobs aren't creating ads but who count on TBWA / Chiat day for their lively hood. This article is petty and irresponsible.

Posted by: Geppetto on August 7, 2007 2:54 PM

Life takes gossip.

Posted by: Geppetos Cousin on August 7, 2007 4:30 PM

True, Geppetto. People come and go all the time in this business. Whether people are coming or going at Chiat or anywhere else isn't much of an issue, as such an agency has a strong enough culture and rep and can (and will) recruit top talent in seconds.

Posted by: Doug on August 7, 2007 4:36 PM

Disgruntled Creative get what Disgruntled Creative want.

Posted by: the olsen twins on August 7, 2007 5:33 PM

"Lastly, another undisclosed creative is said to be on his way to Arnold Boston."

Not so much "undisclosed" as "unimportant." And a welcome departure.

He was the lone albatross around Chiat's neck.

Posted by: dutycalls on August 7, 2007 5:47 PM

Geppeto Coreleone here. Lee apparently left before everyone else and bailed to MAL. It's only natural everyone else leaves. Who wants to work for Rob S?

Posted by: Gepetto Corleone on August 7, 2007 6:28 PM

Sounds like it's time to throw a rager at chiat and party like its 1984!!!!

He vowed no layoffs, then 70 people go missing, and another 30 just because they had the balls to give them the finger.

Posted by: big T on August 7, 2007 10:38 PM

Well done with the links to the "car as watch," "car as shoe" and (somehow even more) inexplicably, "car as cell phone" ads on creativity and adweek, DJ!!

Perfect examples of how Chiat is sliding down the sh*thole.

Posted by: Dean on August 8, 2007 1:47 AM

Shift_agencies

Posted by: deakley on August 8, 2007 3:25 AM

Show me an Agency with close to 1000 employees that does not have churn OR an Agency with top talent that doesn't have other agencies throwing money, promises and dreams at that talent. That's why this Site is called AdRants and not 'Statistically Significant Ad Facts'.

Posted by: debberdoo on August 8, 2007 10:55 AM

Hey Dean - good point about the Altima Coupe ads. Let's go back to 1. Car on Seamless 2. Car on Road and 3. Car in Front of Architectually Interesting Building like every other UNimaginitive Agency that advertises cars. Wouldn't want the product to actually get noticed now would we?

Posted by: AdGuy on August 8, 2007 11:01 AM

Dean, post the latest press for your creative. What, Dean can't do that? Cause Dean's a student, or worse, Dean's a hack? Or, Dean's never sold anything...C'mon Dean, play ball. What have you got?
Go to the mirror Dean, look at yourself and see yourself as others do - a hack with a lot of talk and no walk.
Nice.

Posted by: DJ on August 8, 2007 12:23 PM

Dean, post the latest press for your creative. What, Dean can't do that? Cause Dean's a student, or worse, Dean's a hack? Or, Dean's never sold anything...C'mon Dean, play ball. What have you got?
Go to the mirror Dean, look at yourself and see yourself as others do - a hack with a lot of talk and no walk.
Nice.
CHIAT'S a good agency.
Do you work there? I doubt it.
Will you ever? Doubt it.
Unless you already do...Dean...

Posted by: DJ on August 8, 2007 12:24 PM

this is what happens when pirates become the navy.

this is what happens when pirates become the navy, but still eat like pirates.

this is what happens when pirates become the navy, but still slave like pirates.

we all know where fingers are pointing.

------------

abandon ship and let the captain drown, i say.

Posted by: osama bin laden on August 8, 2007 12:59 PM

this is what happens when pirates become the navy.

this is what happens when pirates become the navy, but still eat like pirates.

this is what happens when pirates become the navy, but still slave like pirates.

we all know where fingers are pointing.

------------

abandon ship and let the captain drown, i say.

Posted by: osama bin laden on August 8, 2007 1:01 PM

Unfortunately, Chiat's flush means good people will have to claw their way back up the slippery, shitstained porcelain pipe and past the overhanging seat-ledge to freedom.

Think Shawshank Redemption with less triumph of the human spirit, and more traffic jams.

And planners.

And of course (again) poop.

DJ, YOU NAILED it!

On the days I medicate and can gather the mental huevos to look myself in the mirror, I see a man (hint!) who is either a paid creative or isn't, working at Chiat or elsewhere.

PS-I just farted.

Posted by: Dean on August 8, 2007 1:56 PM

Not just the creative department, production and accounts have seen an exodus as well. The Chiat business model is failing, employees are expected to work long hours for lousy pay, in a general environment of negativity in exchange for a piece of heritage.

Its a bad sign when employees wish their own company ill. People are utterly demoralized.

Posted by: greg proops on September 25, 2007 3:25 PM

Not just the creative department, production and accounts have seen an exodus as well. The Chiat business model is failing, employees are expected to work long hours for lousy pay, in a general environment of negativity in exchange for a piece of heritage.

Its a bad sign when employees wish their own company ill. People are utterly demoralized.

Posted by: greg proops on September 25, 2007 3:25 PM

Not just the creative department, production and accounts have seen an exodus as well. The Chiat business model is failing, employees are expected to work long hours for lousy pay, in a general environment of negativity in exchange for a piece of heritage... but the work sucks.

Its a bad sign when employees wish their own company ill. People are utterly demoralized.

Posted by: greg proops on September 25, 2007 3:26 PM

Not just the creative department, production and accounts have seen an exodus as well. The Chiat business model is failing, employees are expected to work long hours for lousy pay, in a general environment of negativity in exchange for a piece of heritage... but the work sucks.

Its a bad sign when employees wish their own company ill. People are utterly demoralized.

Posted by: greg proops on September 25, 2007 3:27 PM

9 years a Pirate, always a Pirate.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me

We pillage, we plunder, we rifle and loot
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot
Drink up me hearties, yo ho

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me

We extort, we pilfer, we filch and sack
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
Maraud and embezzle and even high-jack
Drink up me hearties yo ho

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me

We kindle and char, inflame and ignite
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
We burn up the city, we're really a fright
Drink up me hearties, yo ho